Handmade Photo Zines | January 23rd & 24th

Date  | Saturday & Sunday, January 23rd & 24th, 2027

Register early to help ensure your class runs. Courses that do not meet minimum enrollment may be cancelled.

Time  |   10 AM – 3 PM

Instructor  |   Vera Benschop

Location |  Colorado Photographic Arts Center

1200 Lincoln Street, Suite 111, Denver, CO, 80203

Cost  |  $225 Member and $250 Non-Member

Skill Level  |  All Skills Welcome

Objective:

Discover the creative possibilities of photo zines in this hands-on weekend workshop designed for beginners. Students will learn simple zine formats, basic binding techniques, and foundational ideas around sequencing and structure while creating their own handmade photo zines in a supportive, approachable environment.

Course Description:

Photo zines offer an accessible and rewarding way to share photographic work in book form. In this two-day in-person workshop, students will be introduced to zine-making through guided demonstrations, hands-on practice, and discussion around how photographs can work together as a sequence.

The workshop will cover at least two beginner-friendly zine structures: a single-page folding zine and a 3-hole pamphlet stitch zine. Students will also learn practical strategies for layout, printing, and paper selection, along with simple InDesign templates and tips that can support future projects.

Participants will spend the first day learning structures, exploring examples, and thinking through how their images might come together in a small publication. On the second day, students will create their own photo zines using photographs they bring to class.

By the end of the workshop, each participant will have made multiple copies of their zine for a class zine exchange. Students will leave with completed work, a stronger understanding of sequencing and structure, and the confidence to continue making zines on their own.

Instructor Bio:
Vera Benschop is a photographer and bookmaker based in Denver, Colorado. She received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2017. She is the founder of Benschop Books.

Materials Needed:

• Laptop with editing or layout software installed; InDesign is preferred, though similar programs can also work
• A selection of pre-made photographs for the zine
• Digital image files ready for printing

Students should come prepared with photographs in advance, as there will not be time to create new work during the workshop. Paper will be provided. Loaner needles, thread, awls, and scissors will also be available for use during class. Thin, uncoated paper is preferred for easier folding and binding.